We started this series by making a simple statement about identity: Who you are determines what you will do. Our actions flow out of us as a result of our identity and, as we look to wrap up chapter three, Peter is going to turn his attention to that very topic—actions. He calls his readers to live out their convictions.

Belief: a feeling sure that someone or something exists or is true or trustworthy

Conviction: the state of mind of a person who is sure that what he or she believes or says is true

A belief is something you’ll argue about, but a conviction is something you’ll die for. ~Howard Henricks

What do you consider some of your core convictions?

How do you demonstrate them in your day-to-day life?

Peter challenges his readers to live out their convictions in a culture largely hostile to their faith.

1 Peter 1:24-25

24 As the Scriptures say,

“People are like grass;

their beauty is like a flower in the field.

The grass withers and the flower fades.

25 But the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.

1 Peter 2:11

11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.

As we see in 2:11 he listed a number of ways Christians ought to resist their “sinful desires,” including instructions related to civil obedience, slave and master relationships, and marriage.

1 Peter 3:8-9

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

He concludes this instruction by listing a number of characteristics beginning with unity.

Romans 5:6-8

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Whatever the heart of Jesus felt, His hand touched.

Why do you think Scripture emphasizes unity among Christians?

What does disunity communicate to those outside of the Church?

How well does your life reflect the remaining qualities on the list (sympathy, mutual love, compassion, and humility)?

Where can you improve?

We find out whether something is a belief or a conviction when we are in the minority and it is costly to embrace.

What are some ways that you’ve found yourself in the minority?

How were your convictions demonstrated?

Peter concludes the thought he began in 2:11 with a final command in verse 9—bless others, even those who pay you evil and insult.

How do you tend to react to those who treat you poorly?

Have you been able to consistently bless them?

If not, what does your reaction reveal about your motivations?

Based on your past experiences, what practically could you do in future situations to bless those who treat you poorly?

Blessing those who mean to hurt us is no easy task.

It runs contrary to our natural sense of justice, which is why it is only something we can do through faith.

Our example is Christ himself, as Peter makes clear in verse 18.

Focus on Christ’s compassion, which he displayed consistently throughout his earthly ministry.

Who in your life would you consider an example of a compassionate Christian?

What impact has that person’s compassion had on you?

What impact has it had on others?

When people begin to witness our compassion they will begin to care about our convictions.

What could you do to better demonstrate compassion in the way you interact with those around you?

Peter calls his readers to a distinct Christian lifestyle—one that pursues unity and extends blessing to its enemies all for the sake of modeling Christ to the world.

We might expect to receive kindness from the world as a result.

1 Peter 3:10-12 (a reference to Psalm 34:12-16)

10 For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life

and see many happy days,

keep your tongue from speaking evil

and your lips from telling lies.

11 Turn away from evil and do good.

Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,

and his ears are open to their prayers.

But the Lord turns his face

against those who do evil.”

Our motivation is genuine love and compassion

1 Peter 3:13

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?

Peter affirms that this could be the treatment we receive, but we could also become the targets of unjustified suffering, which is why our motivations for doing good are crucial.

1 Peter 3:9 & 14

9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.

What is the common motivation listed in verses 9 and 14? (Blessing from God)

Whether the world thanks us or blames us for our faithfulness to Christ, Peter says that we are blessed.

How have you experienced suffering or opposition for your faith?

Ultimately, what Peter is arguing in this passage is that when we oppose unity in the Church or seek to avoid suffering at any cost, we reveal that our hope lies in our personal comfort more than the sufficiency of Christ.

Our behaviors always reveal our convictions.

What are some of the ways you’re tempted toward pursuing personal comfort over Christ’s call on your life?

1 Peter 3:15-16

15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.[a] Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

Often, verse 15 is used to encourage apologetic styles of evangelism, which aim to respond to intellectual arguments against the faith.

While there’s nothing wrong with that style of evangelism it is not what Peter has in mind when we consider the context.

The previous verse encourages readers against fearing the prospect of suffering for their faith.

Instead, Peter tells them to revere Christ in their suffering and to be prepared at all times to give an answer for their hope.

In other words, Christian faithfulness amidst suffering speaks to those who witness it.

People will ask why we are hopeful in suffering because that hope reveals our convictions.

When they ask, we will have an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus.

1 Peter 3:18

18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

What does your response to suffering communicate to those around you?

How could you more clearly demonstrate your hope in Christ in future situations?

When people witness our compassion toward pain, our blessing toward insult, and our hope in suffering they will wonder about our life.

It requires a commitment on our part to live according to our faith in every way possible.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

What is a practical way that you can apply Peter’s words in the coming week?

Who could you serve?

What about your life needs to change so that your behavior matches your convictions?

Last Word

As Christians, suffering provides us with an incredible opportunity to demonstrate the grace and mercy of our God. Suffering is never pleasant, but it is temporary and we have a hope beyond this world that has been confirmed for us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Whether you find yourself facing difficulty or comfort today, rejoice in where God has you. He has not abandoned you and will remain faithful to you no matter the circumstance you face in the days ahead.

Live It Out

Pray: Ask God to continue transforming your heart so that you are able to respond with genuine joy in times of suffering, as you recognize the opportunity it provides.

Write: On a piece of paper, write out 1 Peter 3:15 and place it where you’ll see it each day this week. Every time you read it, ask the Lord to prepare you to give an answer for your faith when he prompts those around you to ask.

Resolve: Whether or not you are currently experiencing suffering, resolve to face it with joy acknowledging that God allows it for the purpose of refining your faith and confirming the presence of the Holy Spirit within you.

Peek At The Greek

When we think about the idea of “blessing” someone today, it has a more diluted meaning that than of the biblical text. We say, “Bless you,” following a sneeze or sometimes politely insult others with the phrase “bless your heart.” But Peter has something much deeper in mind when he says to bless our enemies in verse 9. He uses the term eulogeo, which means to ask for God’s special favor upon another. This isn’t something we can do begrudgingly, but out of the knowledge of who we are in Christ. By faith, we have been remade and experience the blessings of God on a daily basis. Out of that identity, we ought to bless those who intend us harm because it is evidence of our new life in Christ.